Articles tagged with Ocean Chemistry
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg measured carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in 23 mangrove areas, revealing global patterns in environmental stress. The study found that extreme conditions, including low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels, are becoming more frequent and severe, posing a threat to sensitive fish species.
A new study reveals that deep-sea microbes like Nitrosopumilus maritimus can adapt to warmer, nutrient-poor waters, maintaining their role in nitrogen cycling and primary production. This finding suggests that these microbes may play an important role in reshaping ocean-nutrient distribution in a changing climate.
A Rutgers researcher finds bacteria accelerate calcium carbonate dissolution in shallow seas, potentially slowing carbon sequestration and influencing climate change. The discovery sheds light on the ocean's biological carbon pump and its future implications.
A new study finds hitchhiking bacteria dissolve essential ballast in ubiquitous
Researchers found that certain salinity patterns can fuel El Niño development, increasing its intensity by 20%. This process makes extreme El Niño events more likely and causes catastrophic flooding and severe droughts. The study identified global patterns in salinity preceding major El Niño events over the past 65 years.
An international team has successfully documented and sampled freshened water within a zone nearly 200 metres thick beneath the ocean floor. This discovery sheds light on offshore freshened groundwater systems and their relevance to coastal communities relying on groundwater for freshwater supply.
Researchers used clumped-isotope palaeothermometry to reconstruct large temperature fluctuations at depths of up to 4,000 meters in the Southern Ocean. These fluctuations occurred simultaneously with changes in oxygen isotopes and Earth's orbital eccentricity, suggesting a climatic forcing.
A new study has found that the ocean's ability to absorb CO2 is stronger than previously assumed, with air bubbles playing a key role in this process. The research suggests that the ocean absorbed around 0.3-0.4 petagrams more carbon per year, about 15% more than previous estimates.
A new study found that deep underwater earthquakes can spur massive phytoplankton blooms at the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are microscopic, plant-like organisms that float in upper ocean layers and serve as the foundation of the oceanic food chain.
A team of scientists, led by UC Santa Barbara's David Siegel, embarked on a research expedition to the North Atlantic to study the ocean's carbon cycle. They found that tiny organic particles, known as marine snow, transport carbon from the surface to depths, and this process is critical for understanding Earth's climate.
Scientists at the University of East Anglia used an autonomous underwater vehicle to survey beneath the Dotson Ice Shelf, finding that the shape of the seabed is more important than current speed in influencing warm water circulation. This leads to melting at the underside of the ice shelf, contributing to sea level rise.
Marine Animal Forests are complex habitats that provide essential ecological services, including biodiversity hotspots, nursery areas, and carbon cycling. Scientists urge immediate action to protect these ecosystems from destructive fishing practices, pollution, and climate change.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience shows the key role of Antarctic Bottom Water in the transition from the last Ice Age. The expansion of AABW played a central role in releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which helped reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Researchers from UCSB have challenged the prevailing view of how carbon is fixed in the ocean's sunless depths. They found that microbes beyond autotrophic archaea and heterotrophs could be responsible for fixing carbon dioxide, providing a new understanding of deep-ocean food web dynamics.
Researchers found three major vent areas aligned with active fault zones, controlled by the island's tectonic fabric. The discovery establishes Milos as a natural laboratory for studying hydrothermal activity, volcanism, and tectonics.
Sixty-million-year-old rock samples have revealed how massive amounts of carbon dioxide are stored in piles of lava rubble on the seafloor. This discovery sheds light on the importance of breccia, a geological sponge for carbon in the long-term carbon cycle.
A new paper outlines a global coalition dedicated to conserving microbial biodiversity, which accounts for 99% of life on Earth. The Microbial Conservation Specialist Group will develop Red List-compatible metrics, pilot restoration projects, and promote public awareness to ensure microbes are recognized as essential to planetary health.
A study published in Nature Climate Change found that mesoscale horizontal stirring intensifies considerably in the Arctic and Southern Oceans, driven by stronger ocean flow and turbulence resulting from sea ice loss. This intensification could alter heat and nutrient transport, impacting marine ecosystems.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification is accelerating at a rate outpacing atmospheric CO2 levels, with the Northeastern Pacific Ocean experiencing rapid acidification. The research analyzed coral skeletons from the past century, showing that CO2 has been accumulating in North American waters faster than in the atmosphere.
A new study reveals that 16% of the Arctic Ocean's dissolved organic carbon comes from land, primarily from thawing permafrost and coastal erosion. This finding has significant implications for understanding how terrestrial organic matter affects Arctic marine ecosystems and the ocean's ability to store CO2.
Researchers discovered that tiny diatom skeletons transform into clay minerals in just 40 days, rapidly shaping ocean chemistry. This process, known as reverse weathering, influences carbon dioxide levels, nutrient recycling, and marine ecosystems.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from three sites in the Arctic, finding that year-round ice coverage corresponded with less cosmic dust. This study suggests that tracking cosmic dust can help predict changes to sea ice coverage and understand warming trends.
Researchers track benthic nutrient fluxes using a new device called CAROSEL, which measures nitrogen released from sediments in real-time. The findings reveal daily rhythms in oxygen fluxes and highlight the importance of understanding sediment-water interactions in managing aquatic ecosystems.
Research reveals that microorganisms in ocean hypoxic zones convert nitrate into nitrous oxide to generate energy, producing this climate-damaging gas. The study's findings suggest that organic material in these zones increases the oxygen tolerance of bacteria, allowing for more regions of nitrous oxide production.
Climate models oversimplify the role of calcifying plankton in capturing and cycling carbon, potentially underestimating the ocean's capacity to respond to climate change. Ignoring these organisms' diversity risks oversimplifying how the ocean responds to climate stressors.
Researchers found that hydrothermal systems release iron that can be transported far beyond vent sites through environmental parameters and plume chemistry. This process has significant consequences for ocean productivity and the global carbon cycle.
Researchers at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa identified Caulobacter inopinatus, a previously unknown species found in seawater collected near Oʻahu's south shore. The discovery highlights the connection between land and sea ecosystems through microbial exchanges.
Scientists have found new complex organic molecules spewing from Saturn's moon Enceladus, confirming that complex chemical reactions are taking place within its underground ocean. The discovery strengthens the case for a dedicated European Space Agency (ESA) mission to orbit and land on Enceladus.
Dr. Tanja Stratmann's project investigates how deep-sea sponges have processed nitrogen since ancient times, influencing their ecosystems and shaping past environmental conditions. The study uses incubation chambers and fossilized sponges to determine the role of sponges in past ocean environments.
The 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from February 22-27, 2025. The event will bring together 6,000 scientists, students, and educators to discuss breaking research on the ocean sciences and critical issues affecting a sustainable future for our oceans.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has made a groundbreaking discovery about the contribution of phytoplankton to the global carbon cycle. Phytoplankton can directly pump stubborn carbon into the ocean, where it may persist for centuries, contradicting decades of conventional scientific wisdom.
A new study reveals that North Pacific waters are acidifying more rapidly below the surface than previously thought. Researchers analyzed a 35-year record of ocean carbon measurements and found increases in carbon from natural decomposition, with accelerated acidification associated with fresher and colder waters.
A new deep-sea hydrothermal system was discovered in the Western Pacific, producing massive hydrogen emissions. The Kunlun system is notable for its exceptionally high hydrogen flux and unique geological setting.
A new study reveals that a decline in ocean oxygen levels is disrupting mesopelagic fish populations and ecosystems. The findings suggest that these events could destabilize ecological balances, impair the ocean's role in carbon cycling, and threaten marine biodiversity and food security.
A new study revisits forecasts made in 2002 about the world's rocky shorelines, finding some threats have materialized while others have not. The researchers highlight the importance of addressing issues like ocean acidification and plastic pollution to protect coastlines.
Scientists reconstructed ocean pH levels 201 million years ago and found a massive drop in acidity, leading to mass extinction. The research links this event to volcanic activity and a significant increase in atmospheric CO2.
Researchers will study how ocean currents and nutrients from land influence the health and productivity of MCEs, which support diverse marine life and important fisheries. The project aims to fill critical knowledge gaps and provide science-based solutions for environmental protection and sustainable growth in the gulf region.
University of Leicester researchers analyzed coral cores to spot the start of industrial deforestation in Malaysian rainforest and its impact on coastal ecosystems. The study found that sediment concentrations remained low before 1950, but increased after, indicating enhanced soil erosion due to deforestation.
A groundbreaking study reveals that small zooplankton like copepods and krill enhance carbon sequestration through seasonal migrations. These tiny creatures store around 65 million tonnes of carbon annually in the deep ocean.
A USC-developed shipboard system using limestone and seawater can remove up to half of carbon dioxide emitted from shipping vessels, cutting maritime CO2 emissions by 50%. The process mimics a natural chemical reaction in the ocean, where CO2 is absorbed into water pumped onboard and then neutralized through a bed of limestone.
The Barents Sea system – gateway to the changing Arctic book documents six years of interdisciplinary research on the Barents Sea. Researchers used various platforms, including drones, satellites, and underwater robots, to collect data and make predictions about future changes.
A study by University of California, Riverside researchers finds that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's slowdown is responsible for the persistent cold water anomaly south of Greenland. This weakening circulation leads to cooler surface waters and fresher salinity, impacting weather patterns across Europe.
Longer winter sea ice duration is associated with a 20% increase in atmospheric CO2 absorption by the Southern Ocean. Sea ice protects the ocean from strong winds, allowing it to absorb more CO2 during winter.
Researchers discovered that a substantial proportion of metals are removed from seawater solution by solid manganese-oxide particles. Chemical reactions in sediment release metals back into solution, which then mix back up through the ocean. This process changes how we view ocean chemistry and its impact on climate.
International collaborations leveraging MBARI’s expertise and advanced technology better understand polar environments, including the Arctic seafloor and Southern Ocean. Researchers study seafloor processes, carbon and climate, and biodiversity in these regions.
A recent study found that coral reefs are rapidly moving poleward due to ocean warming, but immediate action can still significantly improve their future outlook. The research suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could limit coral loss to around a third, rather than the expected 86%.
A new study reveals that industrial iron from coal and steel industries is altering the North Pacific ecosystem, leading to changes in phytoplankton growth and nutrient cycles. The research found that increased iron supply boosts spring phytoplankton blooms but also depletes other nutrients, resulting in a crash later in the season.
The University of Oldenburg has secured funding for three research clusters: Hearing4all, Ocean Floor, and NaviSense. These clusters aim to improve hearing loss prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as animal navigation research. The funding enables the continuation of high-quality research with social relevance.
A new study reveals that the negative effects of the ozone hole on the Southern Ocean's carbon uptake are reversible, but only if greenhouse gas emissions rapidly decrease. The study found that as the ozone hole heals, its influence on the ocean's carbon sink diminishes, while the influence of greenhouse gas emissions rises.
A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences sheds light on how a 252-66 million-year-old 'marine revolution' influenced foraminifera diversity and survival. The study found that calcareous forams flourished after the MMR, becoming dominant types living today.
The Arctic Great Rivers Observatory, a multinational project founded at the Marine Biological Laboratory, has been recognized as a National Champion by the Frontiers Planet Prize for its publication on recent trends in the chemistry of major northern rivers. This recognition highlights the value of sustained international collaboration...
Researchers found that ancient glaciers carved deep into the Earth's crust, releasing key minerals that altered ocean chemistry. This process created conditions that allowed complex life to evolve, with the influx of elements changing ocean chemistry at a critical time in evolution.
New study highlights significant gaps in understanding how sunscreens affect marine ecosystems, with chemicals entering the environment through various pathways. Researchers emphasize the need for comprehensive studies to understand the effects of UV filters on marine life and potential risks to human health.
A £4.25m project will investigate 'tipping points' in marine ecosystems, which could have devastating consequences for the UK's fishing industry and global biodiversity. The TiMBER project, led by the University of East Anglia, aims to develop tools to assess risks and predict changes in marine biogeochemistry.
A study published in Environmental Microbiology sheds light on how microbial communities in coastal groundwater respond to changes in seawater. The research found that these microbes play a crucial role in maintaining coastal water quality, but their resilience is vulnerable to climate change.
Scientists predict the proposed wastewater release into Cape Cod Bay will stay in the bay for at least a month, with seasonal winds affecting its spread. The study used high-resolution ocean circulation models to simulate the plume's behavior and found that the majority of the water will come close to the shore before leaving the bay.
A new study by UCL researchers found no lasting changes in the Earth's climate after two massive asteroid impacts around 35.65 million years ago. The impact craters left behind no evidence of a shift in climate over 150,000 years.
A recent study reveals that oceans produce a previously unknown sulfur gas called methanethiol, which cools the climate by increasing aerosol formation and reflecting solar radiation. This new compound is found to have a greater cooling capacity than dimethyl sulphide and its impact on climate models.
Scientists from the University of East Anglia have discovered a 50-metre-thick 'intrusion' of warm water under the Ross Ice Shelf, which has increased heat transport into the cavity by 45% over the last four decades. This finding suggests that climate change will likely lead to further melting and ice loss.